Share Whether you want to replace a broken door handle or simply install new ones that match better your style, replacing them is merely a matter of minutes.
To replace a door handle or door knob takes anywhere between 10 to 20 minutes, depending on how handy you are, how strictly you follow the instructions and your previous experience.
To replace the door handle, you need to have the new door handle set at hand, a flat-head Phillips screwdriver & instructions that might be included with the new door handles or available on the retailer's website.
Changing interior door handles and door kobs
Before looking at replacing a door handle or a door knob, you should first look at the issue with the old one:
- Loose door handles or knobs - could be fixed by simply tightening the screws or replacing a missing one. This job will take less than 2 minutes to fix the door handle. However, if the handle remains loose or the locking mechanism doesn't work, it's time to get on with choosing a new door handle or door knob.
- Misaligned components in the door hardware: Time, usage, temperature changes can cause internal doors to bend slightly, resulting in misaligned locks and handles. Before removing and replacing the handle or the door knob, try repositioning the door.
- Lock not working: You could try to clean the lock and check if it works before replacing the entire door handle kit.
- Needing a lock on specific doors - you could either install a deadbolt or a chain lock; however, choosing a new door knob or handle with a lock will improve the door's look and give you the required privacy level.
Once the decision of replacing a door handle is taken, make sure to check against the following few questions related to the types of door handles suitable for your entry:
- Door opening to the left or right?
- Does it have a backplate, or do you need a lever on a rose?
- Will a door knob work better?
- Do you need a lock?
- Are you looking for a new design?
- Will the new door handle fit in the same holes?
Once you checked these and any other items you may need, review and buy your new door hardware products and even save precious time you could lose by purchasing and trying to fit an incompatible item.
Check all door hardware in your home that may have been affected by normal wear and tear effects. You may even want to change the style throughout your home with new high-quality products that you can browse on our online shop.
Steps to easily remove a door handle
- Use a doorstop or wedge to keep the door from moving
- Remove the cover plate: use the screwdriver to push out the rose cover or simply unscrew the rose.
- Remove the screws: after removing the plate, take the screws out and take off the door handle.
- Remove the door spindle: leave the door spindle on one side of the door handle.
- Remove the latch: take out the bolts securing the latch and inside plates, then gently pull the latch plate and mechanism from the side of the door and set them aside.
Replacing the door handle
- Insert the new latch and mechanism: into the hole on the side of the door.
- Insert the spindle and the lock: into the slots of the door.
- Add the screws: to the latch plate and mechanism.
- Attach the door plate: Modern door handles already have the cover plates, so this step may not be necessary.
- Check the new door hardware: try the handle and the lock and see if it's working correctly.
How to install a door handle?
What could go wrong?
Although door handles are easy to replace, there are a few things you should try to avoid:
- Incorrect orientation of the lock - this is a common mistake when doing this for the first time: finishing the work and finding out that you inadvertently placed the new door handle the wrong way around.
- Not aligning the holes properly when attaching the new lock.
- Drilling new holes ending damaging your door - always keep an eye on the drill to avoid splintering it.
Always follow the instructions even when you think you can handle the job. If in doubt, don't hesitate to ask a specialist's help.